Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination rates in countries with different income levels: a panel analysis.

Introduction: Vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being developed and supplied at an unprecedented rate. However, disparities in income levels among countries has influenced the supply and vaccination rate. This imbalance poses a potential risk factor, especially if vaccine-resistant variants emerge and the pandemic persists.

Performance of molecular tests for diagnosis of bloodstream infections in the clinical setting: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Rapid identification of bloodstream pathogens and associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles by molecular tests from positive blood cultures (PBCs) have the potential to improve patient management and clinical outcomes.

Objectives: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of molecular tests from PBCs for detecting pathogens and AMR in the clinical setting.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, conference proceedings, and study bibliographies.

Cardiac bridging integrator 1 gene therapy rescues chronic non-ischemic heart failure in minipigs.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, yet with limited therapeutic options. Cardiac bridging integrator 1 (cBIN1), a cardiomyocyte transverse-tubule (t-tubule) scaffolding protein which organizes the calcium handling machinery, is transcriptionally reduced in HF and can be recovered for functional rescue in mice. Here we report that in human patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), left ventricular cBIN1 levels linearly correlate with organ-level ventricular remodeling such as diastolic diameter.

Evaluation of patient and encounter decision aid interventions for atrial fibrillation: Baseline characteristics of the RED-AF study - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The Randomized Evaluation of Decision Support Interventions for Atrial Fibrillation (RED-AF) trial is a multi-site, randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a patient decision aid and an encounter decision aid in promoting shared decision-making (SDM) during a clinical encounter for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to describe baseline characteristics of patients and clinicians in the trial and compare them to the demographics of the larger AF population. We also conducted an analysis of possible predictors of attrition rates at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Value of Innovative Multiple Myeloma Treatments from Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives: Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background: Although innovation generally provides measurable improvements in disease characteristics and patient survival, some benefits can remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate patient and healthcare provider (HCP) preferences for the innovative attributes of multiple myeloma (MM) treatments.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based, discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey was conducted among 200 patients with MM and 30 HCPs of patients with MM in the USA.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Symptom Monitoring in Adult Cancer Survivorship: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care may afford new avenues for personalized and patient-centered care. This systematic review explored the role of AI in symptom monitoring for adult cancer survivors.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed from inception to November 2023 in seven bibliographic databases and three clinical trial registries.

Long-Term Cancer Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery: A Comparative Analysis of Surgical Procedures.

: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is known to reduce cancer risk. However, the association between specific bariatric procedures and cancer incidence is not well-studied. This study examined the association between four different MBS procedures and cancer incidence.

Impact of a social media post on improving an existing residency program.

Disclaimer: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

Cost-Effectiveness of Temporary Financial Assistance for Veterans Experiencing Housing Instability.

Importance: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partners with community organizations (grantees) across the US to provide temporary financial assistance (TFA) to vulnerable veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. The goal of TFA for housing-related expenses is to prevent homelessness or to quickly house those who have become homeless.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the SSVF program with TFA vs without TFA as an intervention for veterans who are experiencing housing insecurity.

Reconsidering and Rebalancing our Investment in Student Leader Development.

Objectives: Since leadership development was first included in the 2013 Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education Educational Outcomes as a desired outcome of pharmacy curricula, pharmacy educators have embraced leadership development as a desired outcome of pharmacy professional programs. As we gain experience and as circumstances change, educators must consider whether our current strategies for preparing leaders will meet the needs of an ever-evolving and deeply complex practice environment. The aim of this review is to encourage educators to reconsider our investments in leadership development and leader development.

Evaluating the risk of sleep disorders in subjects with a prior COVID-19 infection.

Previous studies have reported a potential occurrence of sleep disorders in patients following a COVID-19 infection. However, these findings were based on surveys or retrospective studies with small sample sizes. This study examined if subjects with a previous COVID-19 infection in 2020 experienced sleep disorders in 2021.

Multipartite Fluorogenic Sensors for Monitoring Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity.

Fluorogenic substrates are essential tools for studying the activity of many enzymes including the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Here, we have taken the first step toward the development of genetically encodable sensors for PTP activity using fluorescent and fluorogen-activating proteins. The Fluorescence-Activating and absorption Shifting Tag (FAST) is a small protein that becomes fluorescent upon binding to a small molecule dye.

Evolving strategies in microbe identification-a comprehensive review of biochemical, MALDI-TOF MS and molecular testing methods.

Detection and identification of microorganisms are the first steps to guide susceptibility testing and enable clinicians to confirm diseases and guide therapy. The faster the pathogen identification is determined, the quicker the appropriate treatment can be started. In the clinical microbiology laboratory, multiple methodologies can be used to identify organisms, such as traditional biochemical testing or more recent methods like MALDI TOF MS and nucleic acid detection/identification assays.

Optimal Initial Intravenous Loop Diuretic Dosing in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Nearly one-half of patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are discharged with unresolved congestion, elevating rehospitalization risk. This may be due to suboptimal intravenous (IV) loop diuretic dosing, which may be influenced by home oral diuretic dose.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the association between: 1) home oral loop diuretic dose and optimal initial IV loop diuretic dosing in ADHF; and 2)receiving optimal initial IV loop diuretic dosing and length of stay and 30-day readmission.